Commemorating June 11, 2026, as International Day of Play

Assembly Resolution No. 1504

BY: M. of A. McMahon

        COMMEMORATING  June 11, 2026, as International Day
        of Play

  WHEREAS, In March 2024, the United Nations General Assembly  adopted
Resolution   A/RES/78/268,   officially   declaring  June  11th  as  the
International Day of Play; the Resolution recognizes play  as  vital  to
physical  and  psychosocial  development, and it reaffirms Article 31 of
the Convention on  the  Rights  of  the  Child  which  declares  play  a
fundamental right; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Resolution  calls  on governments, civil society, and
institutions   to   observe   the   day    through    educational    and
awareness-raising   activities   and   encourages   the  United  Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to support its implementation; and

  WHEREAS, International Day of Play  creates  a  unifying  moment  at
global,  national,  and  local levels to elevate the importance of play,
signaling a call  for  policies,  training,  and  funding  to  get  play
integrated into education and community settings worldwide; and

  WHEREAS, Beyond mere recreation, play is a universal language spoken
by   people   of   all   ages,   transcending  national,  cultural,  and
socio-economic boundaries;  this  shared  passion  fosters  a  sense  of
community,   national   pride,   tolerance,   resilience,   imagination,
creativity, innovation, social inclusion, and conflict prevention; and

  WHEREAS,  For  children  in  particular,   play   helps   to   build
relationships,  improve  control, overcome trauma, and encourage problem
solving; it helps children develop the  cognitive,  physical,  creative,
social,  and  emotional skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing
world; and

  WHEREAS, Restricting  opportunities  for  play  directly  impedes  a
child's  well-being and development; in educational settings, play-based
learning has been recognized as an effective approach to engage students
actively in the learning process, making  learning  more  enjoyable  and
relevant, thereby enhancing motivation and retention of information; and

  WHEREAS, When children are driven from their homes by war, conflict,
and    displacement,    access    to    nurturing   relationships   with
parents/caregivers and peers are critical buffers from  the  effects  of
violence,  distress,  and  other  adverse  experiences,  comforting  and
soothing children; and

  WHEREAS, There is tremendous power  and  positive  energy  in  play;
International  Day  of  Play is a time to celebrate the power of play--a
time to come together and make sure that every child is able  to  fulfil
their right to play; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate June 11, 2026, as International Day of Play.